NASA Highlights Science on Next Resupply Mission to International Space Station

NASA will host a media teleconference at 10 a.m. EDT Friday, May 26, to discuss select science investigations launching on the next SpaceX commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station.

SpaceX is targeting June 1 for the launch of its Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Participants in the briefing will be:

•Zaven Arzoumanian, for Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), will discuss an instrument that will measure neutron stars and test, for the first time in space, technology that uses pulsars as navigation beacons•Miriam Sargusingh, project lead for Capillary Structures for Exploration Life Support, will discuss an investigation into the structures of specific shapes to manage fluid and gas mixtures for water recycling and carbon dioxide removal, benefiting future efforts to design lightweight, more reliable life support systems for future space missions.•Jeremy Banik, principal investigator for Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA), will discuss an investigation to test the deployment and retraction of a new type of solar panel that rolls open in space like a tape measure and is more compact than current rigid panel designs•Paul Galloway, program manager for Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES), will discuss an Earth-viewing imaging platform created by Teledyne Brown that will house high-resolution digital cameras and hyperspectral imagers.•Karen Ocorr, will discuss Fruit Fly Lab-02, an investigation using fruit flies as a model organism to better understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for the adverse effects of prolonged exposure to microgravity on the human heart.•Dr. Chia Soo, principal investigator for Systemic Therapy of NELL-1 for Osteoporosis (Rodent Research-5), will discuss an investigation to test a new drug that can both rebuild bone and block further bone loss, improving health for crew members in orbit and people on Earth.

To participate in the teleconference, media must contact Kathryn Hambleton at 202-358-1100 or [email protected] by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 25, for dial-in information.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will carry crew supplies, scientific research and hardware to the orbiting laboratory to support the Expedition 52 and 53 crews for the eleventh contracted mission by SpaceX under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract.

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:

Latest (and posting because it's been quiet - quiet being good) is they are still in a nominal flow for the milestones - leading up to Saturday (NET) Static Fire ahead of next week's launch. Getting some nice flow and turnaround rhythm going at 39A!

MEDIA ADVISORY M17-063NASA to Air Launch of Next International Space Station Resupply Mission

NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting its eleventh commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station for 5:55 p.m. EDT Thursday, June 1. Launch coverage will begin on NASA Television and the agency’s website at 5:15 p.m., followed by the post-launch news conference at 7:30 p.m.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will liftoff on the company's Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying almost 6,000 pounds of science research, crew supplies and hardware to the orbiting laboratory in support of Expedition 52 and 53 crew members. The unpressurized trunk of the spacecraft also will transport solar panels, tools for Earth-observation and equipment to study neutron stars.

About 10 minutes after launch, Dragon will reach its preliminary orbit. It then will deploy its solar arrays and begin a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the space station. When it arrives to the space station, Expedition 52 Flight Engineers Jack Fischer and Peggy Whitson of NASA will grapple Dragon.

Live coverage of the rendezvous and capture will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 4, on NASA TV, with installation coverage set to begin at 11:30 a.m. If the launch does not occur on June 1, the next launch opportunity is 5:07 p.m. Saturday, June 3, with NASA TV coverage starting at 4:30 p.m.

The Dragon spacecraft will remain at the space station until approximately July 2, when it will return to Earth with research and return cargo in a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Baja California.

Media at Kennedy will have the opportunity to participate in special tours and briefings May 31 and June 1, as well as view the launch. The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed, but for more information about media accreditation, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or [email protected]

This will be the 100th launch, and sixth SpaceX launch, from this pad. Previous launches include 11 Apollo flights, the launch of the unmanned Skylab in 1973, 82 shuttle flights and five SpaceX launches.

For an updated schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:

NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting its eleventh commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station for 5:55 p.m. EDT Thursday, June 1. Launch coverage will begin on NASA Television and the agency’s website at 5:15 p.m., followed by the post-launch news conference at 7:30 p.m.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will liftoff on the company's Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying almost 6,000 pounds of science research, crew supplies and hardware to the orbiting laboratory in support of the Expedition 52 and 53 crew members. The unpressurized trunk of the spacecraft also will transport solar panels, tools for Earth-observation and equipment to study neutron stars.

About 10 minutes after launch, Dragon will reach its preliminary orbit. It then will deploy its solar arrays and begin a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the space station. When it arrives to the space station, Expedition 52 Flight Engineers Jack Fischer and Peggy Whitson of NASA will grapple Dragon.

Live coverage of the rendezvous and capture will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 4, on NASA TV, with installation coverage set to begin at 11:30 a.m. If the launch does not occur on June 1, the next launch opportunity is 5:07 p.m. Saturday, June 3, with NASA TV coverage starting at 4:30 p.m.

The Dragon spacecraft will remain at the space station until approximately July 2, when it will return to Earth with research and return cargo in a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Baja California.

Media at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will have the opportunity to participate in special tours and briefings May 31 and June 1, as well as view the launch. The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed. For more information about media accreditation, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or [email protected]

Media badges will be issued at the Astronaut Training Experience building located on State Road 405, Titusville.

This will be the 100th launch, and sixth SpaceX launch, from this pad. Previous launches include 11 Apollo flights, the launch of the unmanned Skylab in 1973, 82 shuttle flights and five SpaceX launches.

Media participating in the morning tour will need to be at the press site no later than 9 a.m. Interested media must RSVP to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on May 29.

Space Farming

Several NASA researchers will discuss their work to grow food for human deep-space exploration missions. They will discuss the Advanced Plant Habitat as well as other long-duration food production research currently underway.

Media participating in the morning tour will return to the press site at noon.

Commercial Crew Program Update

The NASA Commercial Crew Program has partnered with American industry on the next generation of spacecraft and rockets that will launch astronauts to and from the International Space Station. At 1 p.m. in the Press Site, Commercial Crew Program management will provide an update to media on the progress being made to resume human spaceflight in the United States.

“What’s on Board” Science Briefing on NASA TV

A science, research and technology briefing will air live at 1 p.m. on NASA Television and the agency’s website, at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. This briefing is for NASA Social participants.

One-on-One Interview Opportunities

Media will have the opportunity to interview mission experts at the Press Site from 2:30 – 4 p.m.

Prelaunch News Conference on NASA TV

A prelaunch status briefing will be held at Kennedy’s Press Site TV Auditorium at 4 p.m. and air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.

Media participating in the morning event will need to be at the press site no later than 6:45 a.m.

Remote Camera Setup and Photo Opportunity

A limited number of news media will be able to establish sound-activated remote cameras to capture the liftoff from inside Launch Complex 39A. Interested media must RSVP to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on May 29.

Following launch, remote camera pickup for inside the launch complex will be Friday, June 2 at 8 a.m.

All other remote camera photographers will be able to set up cameras outside of the pad perimeter. This also will be the location of the photo opportunity. Interested media must RSVP to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on May 29.

Following launch, remote camera pickup for outside the launch complex will be 8:30 p.m.

Media participating in the morning event will return to the press site at 9:30 a.m.

Launch Viewing

News media wanting to view the launch from the NASA Causeway will depart the Press Site by bus at 4:30 p.m. Interested media must RSVP to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on May 29.

Media desiring to photograph the launch from the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) must RSVP to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on May 29. Space is limited for this activity. At 4:45 p.m., selected media will depart the Press Site for the VAB.

Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, -1260 or -7135. On launch day, "mission audio," the launch conductor’s countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135. Launch also will be available on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz heard within Brevard County on the Space Coast.

NASA Web Prelaunch and Launch Coverage

Prelaunch and launch day coverage of the SpaceX CRS-11 flight will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning at 5:15 p.m. as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video, podcast and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the newsroom at 321-867-2468. You can follow countdown coverage on our launch blog at: